Concrete Statue of Liberty

sketchfab

Across town at a strip mall, a weathered Statue of Liberty stands tall, a familiar sight I've driven by for years. The sun was setting fast when I arrived, prompting me to act quickly. As I gazed upon the statue, I noticed that South Dakota's harsh seasons were taking their toll on its decorative concrete surface. The aggregate beneath the concrete is starting to show through in areas where it has worn away, while patchy paint leaves moisture with multiple entry points, hastening the erosion of the concrete. This model marks the latest generation cast from a prototype I first saw in the 1980s as the Statue of Liberty's centennial approached, sparking a wave of Liberty fever that led to its creation. The replica has been reimagined in various materials, including aluminum and fiberglass, and can be found in numerous statuary and garden centers. Similar to the Boy Scouts' copper replica, this Statue of Liberty is an acquired taste, but one that grows on you over time.